The Beaches Open

BUSAN, South Korea — The summer beach season is opening one month earlier this year, and will extend one month longer than usual. Haeundae, Kwangan-li and Song-do Beach will open June 1st through September 30th this year.

Though quite unusual, the swimming season in Korea is usually limited to July and August, but city officials are extending the period this year to encourage more people to use the beaches. Public facilities, including beach parasols, changing rooms, showers, foot washers, drinking water fountains, and public restrooms will be open to the public.

Plenty of activities are planned around the city this year at public beaches, including a guitar concert every weekend at 10 p.m. on Haeundae Beach, as well as salsa dancing, beach volleyball and soccer and an events tent.

At Kwangan-li and Song-do Beach, there will be street performances, as well as a ton of water sports available, including windsurfing, yachting, kayaking, and canoeing.

Songjeong, Dadaepo, Imrang and Ilgwang beaches will be open for swimming for the usual two month period between July 1st until August 31st.